iFi audio ZEN Air CAN
- Added by Rowan94
- Create date
Zen Air Can Review: The Good
- Clean, clean power, with no EMI noise or hum when 5V USB cable used with a phone charger/power bank. No more bulky power bricks!
- Zero static or crackle when turning volume knob
- The cheapest way to get a 4.4 headphone out, even if it is not truly balanced like the OG Zen Can
- Lowest cost headphone amp, even against Chinese competition like the Topping DX1 or SMSL SH-6.
- Easy to stack, and stays out of the way in your PC setup
- USD $95 price, Zen Air Dac and Zen Air Can stack: USD $200. Closest competition in the FiiO K7 is USD $241.
- Pair with Zen Dac v1, USB cable, USB 5V cable, USB female into USB C male adaptor, power bank and you have a mobile desktop level setup for testing headphones (this full setup runs off USB and a power bank, but the Zen Air DAC uses a power brick. For this setup to work you need a Zen DAC v1 or v2)
- Budget price, non-budget sound
- Pairs beautifully with HD600, R70x and Moondrop Kato, in case you own any of these items. Xbass+ in particular works wonders for immersion in movies or video games with the HD600, and not all the time with music.
- Bluetooth is going to cost you another USD $80 in the Zen Air Blue which is fine, but now the stack has gone from burger to building. Takes up too much space. FiiO K7 has bluetooth in a more space friendly package.
- Plastic build can crack
- Too little space on the volume knob for IEMs
- You have to remember to use the power on button every time you turn on/off your PC
- The shortest USB cable into 5V power supply known to man. No one's mains outlet is that high on their desk. This cable length won't even reach to your PC tower if it's on the floor.
- 2 RCA in, 1 3.5mm in. No optical. Limits AIO possibilities like adding connection to speakers.
I have been familiar with the Zen Dac V1, OG Zen Can, FiiO K5 for years now, and the K7 more recently.
I am retiring the OG Zen Can for the Zen Air Can for a rather strange reason. USB power out. I am wholeheartedly recommending the Zen Air Can for being a convenient, low cost headphone option with certain features that punch over it's weight.
The Zen Air Can is affordable, portable, powerful and has features useful for new audiophiles. It also has a slight warm tilt in sound.XBass+ and to a lesser extent XSpace, are great features to help tinker with the sound profile for newbies who only have 1 or 2 headphonesThe full on Zen stack is also the cheapest stack option that isn't a Chinese product, which will not be easily covered by warranty.Zen Dac v1 can be easily found online secondhand for even lower price than the Zen Air Can, for immense value when pairing with the Zen Air Can.Separating the amp and DAC gives room for adding modular pieces like bluetooth, or in my case, a Schitt Lokius.4.4 balanced connector remains the easiest, lightest connector for a premium headphone. You can commit to 4.4 connector, and then bring your headphone for testing with new gear easily. XLR balanced is a bit heavy and unweidly, sometimes being heavy enough to move your stack around the table.Zen Air Dac, Zen Dac v1/v2 are USB bus powered, while Zen Air Can is USB 5V powered through a power bank, phone USB charger or USB port. Making it easy to bring to and fro from work, for new gear auditions or if you are the child of divorced parents and move around a lot.The Zen Stack remains the cheapest possible way to get 4.4 audio out, even if the Zen Air Can is not "true" balance out (uses single ended RCA from Zen Dac v1 into Zen Air Can and then 4.4 audio out).
Ifi has a winning entry level slew of products here, that I will happily recommend over even the cheapest, well built stuff from China like the Topping DX1, SMSL SU-6 / SH-6 stack or FiiO K5.
Yes the SMSL stack has bluetooth and optical. But it costs substantially more for no 4.4mm balanced out. Similarly, for the K5. The cheapest options for 4.4 true balanced out is the Zen Dac v1 > Zen Can or FiiO K7 or any balanced DAC into the Topping A30 Pro.
You can of course end up with a Frankenstein mash of Chinese products with different sizes and 2 or 3 heavy power bricks.
As someone who doesn't have all the space in the world for an audio setup, and even less budget than I have space, I'm immensely happy with this setup. I am still wishing on ifi to include a longer USB cable for ALL their products. The short blue cable with the DACs makes sense with a laptop but definitely not a larger sized PC that sits on the ground. I have to use a USB extender to have everything sit on my desk. But at work, this makes things far more cumbersome than it has to be as I have to bring my own extender, diminishing the overall portability of the Zen sandwich.
I am also humbly requesting that ifi consider making a tone control in the Zen series form factor to rival the Schitt Lokius, Loki Mini or JDS Subjective 3. Not because any of those products are bad, but because the Zen sandwich is still my favorite form factor of any audio product.This is an easy recommendation from me, and I especially recommend it to students and minimalists. This is an affordable, reliable setup that helps you get rid of a lot of power brick clutter while remaining small yet powerful. You also get options for RCA speaker out into something like the Edifier R1700 through the Zen DAC, even if you have to rather annoyingly, change the RCA connectors from your DAC into the speakers.
But the end result is you get full on bookshelf speakers for movies in a living room or large bedroom through a convenient DAC with a buttery smooth volume knob, a headphone amp that is also easy to connect through RCA AND a pitch black background with no static or hum for a few hundred bucks. Reliable value, without worrying about warranty or having a similarly priced Topping product suddenly not working for no rhyme or reason.
Duggu
I just bought the HD600, I am confused between DAC/AMPs under $200. I saw 600 on your desk. Do you recommend going with the Dongle route or this should be the pick? Audio Quality is my one and only priority, nothing else.
Duggu
Accidentally listened to tube, Xduoo TA26s. Nothing comes close to that. If you can audition it please do, kinda changed the whole aura of that headphone.
Introduction:
I'm going to make this review short and to the point. Thanks, @Rowan94 for including me in the USA ZEN Air Tour.
Build:
Much like the iFi ZEN Air Blue and ZEN Air DAC, the housing is made of a sturdy dark grey and lightweight plastic housing. The imprints of the ZEN DAC are like a tightly woven net. The old-school style housing for the ZEN series makes the Air USB DAC visually pleasing. It's carried on from their older ZEN devices, and consistency is critical for stacking these devices, and iFi found an excellent footing for simplicity and stackability.
Specifications:
Power supply requirement: DC 5V/2.5A (centre +ve)
Max Output: >6.7V/75 mW(@ 600Ω) >6.5V/660 mW(@ 64Ω) >6.2V/1200 mW(@ 32Ω)
THD & N: 0.005% (@ 100 mW/1.27V 16Ω)
SNR: >114dBA (@ 6.7V)
Max.
Input: RCA/3.5mm3.8V RMS/1.92V RMS
Gain: 0dB, 9dB, 18dB
Frequency Response: 10Hz -100kHz (-3dB)
Power Consumption: No Signal ~5W/Max Signal ~13W
Dimensions: 158 x 117 x 35 mm
6.2" x 4.6" x 1.4"
Net weight: 352g
0.78 lbs
Accessories: 5V USB Power Cable and Digital USB Cable.
Source: My Custom Gaming PC (Used Spotify and Tidal (Hi-Fi).
Headphones used: Ultrasone Signature Studio and Penon Audio Volt
Sound: Pleasant and plays it safe with X-Bass off. For the best result, turn X-Bass on for neutral headphones like the Ultrasone Signature Studio. I paired it with the Penon Audio Volt (X-Bass Off), and the results were interesting. The soundstage was a bit more open than listening to them with my Fiio M11 Plus LTD.
As for the bass, it's not like what the M11 Plus LTD dishes out, but it does remind me of the ZEN Signature Series. I'm talking about the tight bass notes and smooth sound. The ZEN Air CAN pairs well with many headphones but pairs best with headphones that make use of its DSP functions.
The mids take a back seat, in comparison to the Zen Signature CAN. Instead of forward mids, the mids are more relaxed with a medium presence. The tone isn't dark either, so this sound signature has great compatibility with other headphones.
Finally, there's the treble, and much like the mids, it's reserved but it's not stuffy or cramped. It's a bit mellow. Especially with the Penon Audio Volt.
Now with X-Bass on, the Signature Studio becomes warmer and more expressive throughout the entire frequency. The bass gives stronger vibes, the mids are slightly sweeter, and the treble is more flavorful. The bass tilt with X-Bass on is like climbing a small hill on top of a slightly larger hill (From Treble to Bass). This is probably why X-Bass favors the Signature Studio so much.
Oh. BTW, the ZEN Can is compatible with the ZEN Air DAC, and X-Bass can be enabled on both devices at the same time. Double X-Bass is not advised for IEMs. It's recommended for power-hungry headphones only. This can be remedied by enabling X-Space, which gives more headroom for double X-Bass.
Pros:
Cons:
I'm going to make this review short and to the point. Thanks, @Rowan94 for including me in the USA ZEN Air Tour.
Build:
Much like the iFi ZEN Air Blue and ZEN Air DAC, the housing is made of a sturdy dark grey and lightweight plastic housing. The imprints of the ZEN DAC are like a tightly woven net. The old-school style housing for the ZEN series makes the Air USB DAC visually pleasing. It's carried on from their older ZEN devices, and consistency is critical for stacking these devices, and iFi found an excellent footing for simplicity and stackability.
Specifications:
Power supply requirement: DC 5V/2.5A (centre +ve)
Max Output: >6.7V/75 mW(@ 600Ω) >6.5V/660 mW(@ 64Ω) >6.2V/1200 mW(@ 32Ω)
THD & N: 0.005% (@ 100 mW/1.27V 16Ω)
SNR: >114dBA (@ 6.7V)
Max.
Input: RCA/3.5mm3.8V RMS/1.92V RMS
Gain: 0dB, 9dB, 18dB
Frequency Response: 10Hz -100kHz (-3dB)
Power Consumption: No Signal ~5W/Max Signal ~13W
Dimensions: 158 x 117 x 35 mm
6.2" x 4.6" x 1.4"
Net weight: 352g
0.78 lbs
Accessories: 5V USB Power Cable and Digital USB Cable.
Source: My Custom Gaming PC (Used Spotify and Tidal (Hi-Fi).
Headphones used: Ultrasone Signature Studio and Penon Audio Volt
Sound: Pleasant and plays it safe with X-Bass off. For the best result, turn X-Bass on for neutral headphones like the Ultrasone Signature Studio. I paired it with the Penon Audio Volt (X-Bass Off), and the results were interesting. The soundstage was a bit more open than listening to them with my Fiio M11 Plus LTD.
As for the bass, it's not like what the M11 Plus LTD dishes out, but it does remind me of the ZEN Signature Series. I'm talking about the tight bass notes and smooth sound. The ZEN Air CAN pairs well with many headphones but pairs best with headphones that make use of its DSP functions.
The mids take a back seat, in comparison to the Zen Signature CAN. Instead of forward mids, the mids are more relaxed with a medium presence. The tone isn't dark either, so this sound signature has great compatibility with other headphones.
Finally, there's the treble, and much like the mids, it's reserved but it's not stuffy or cramped. It's a bit mellow. Especially with the Penon Audio Volt.
Now with X-Bass on, the Signature Studio becomes warmer and more expressive throughout the entire frequency. The bass gives stronger vibes, the mids are slightly sweeter, and the treble is more flavorful. The bass tilt with X-Bass on is like climbing a small hill on top of a slightly larger hill (From Treble to Bass). This is probably why X-Bass favors the Signature Studio so much.
Oh. BTW, the ZEN Can is compatible with the ZEN Air DAC, and X-Bass can be enabled on both devices at the same time. Double X-Bass is not advised for IEMs. It's recommended for power-hungry headphones only. This can be remedied by enabling X-Space, which gives more headroom for double X-Bass.
Pros:
- Smooth and clean sound
- Sound plays it safe by pairing well with different sound signatures
- Classic Old-school style housing
- X-Bass isn't steep (At least not enabled on its own)
- X-Space is useful for pairing with the ZEN Air DAC
Cons:
- Lack of RCA cables
- The 5V USB cable is too short
Introduction: I reviewed the ZEN Air CAN over a two-week period during a USA loaner tour of the ZEN Air series products. Many thanks to @Rowan94 for including me in the tour.
Product: The ZEN Air CAN is a high-power headphone amplifier that sells for $99 USD. Headphones are connected via either the 6.3mm single-end output or the 4.4mm "S-Balanced" output on the front of the unit. The rear of the unit has: a 3.5mm "S-Balanced" input, two single-ended RCA inputs, and a DC 5V power input. The front panel has an input selector, gain selector (0 db, 9 db, 18 db), and a button to enable XBass+ (bass boost) and/or XSpace (spatilizer). Max output is as follows: >6.7V/75 mW (@ 600Ω), >6.5V/660 mW (@ 64Ω), >6.2V/1200 mW (@ 32Ω).
Accessories: One cable is included with the ZEN Air CAN: a (26") black USB-A DC 5V power cable. The cable could stand to be a bit longer. I used the supplied cable with a USB wall adapter to provide power to the unit.
Build: The unit design is similar to the non-Air ZEN line, but the housing is a very sturdy high-grade thermoplastic polymer as opposed to metal. While the unit doesn't feel substantial in the hands, it still feels solid and easily stayed in place on my desk. All of the connectors held the cables securely. The volume control knob feels nice and moves smoothly and precisely.
Functionality:
I utilized the single-ended 6.3mm output and the two RCA inputs for my listening evaluation sessions. In the first RCA input I connected the ZEN Air DAC (which I also reviewed as part of the tour), and in the second RCA input I connected the ZEN Air Phono (which I also reviewed as part of the tour). Setup was quick and painless. If you are going to be using multiple ZEN Air components in a stack (as I was in my evaluation), I would recommend using: a USB power wall adapter, a USB hub, and if necessary a USB extension cable.
I really enjoyed using both of the analog (not DSP!) sound enhancers: XBass+ and XSpace. I found the XBass+ to be more subtle and acceptable than when it was enabled on the ZEN Air DAC. The XSpace also had a subtle, yet noticeable, impact on soundstage, opening up the sound field just the right amount.
The three gain settings allowed me to easily adjust output to match my different headphones' needs. I had no issue powering any of my headphones, including my hungry Audeze LCD-4.
The gain options and sound enhancers (XBass+, XSpaces) made it easy to quickly dial in the needed volume level and sound tweaks to customize the sound output for each headphone and track.
Sound: I listened to many tracks across a wide variety music genres. The sound produced by the ZEN Air CAN was high-quality, detailed, clear and clean -- free from of any noise or distortion. The delivery was smooth and dynamic, making for an enjoyable listening experience for hours on end.
Conclusion: The ZEN Air CAN is an excellent value-for-money, feature-rich, and versatile single-ended headphone amplifier. Despite the lower price point, ifi Audio's usual level of quality is delivered without making too many sacrifices. There is more than enough power to drive any of my headphones, and the multiple gain options and sound enhancers make dialing in the volume and sound preferences a quick and easy task. The ZEN Air CAN was my favorite of the ZEN Air units I evaluated. It offers so much for such little money. I highly recommend considering the ZEN Air CAN for an affordable desktop singled-ended solution. You won't be disappointed.
Product: The ZEN Air CAN is a high-power headphone amplifier that sells for $99 USD. Headphones are connected via either the 6.3mm single-end output or the 4.4mm "S-Balanced" output on the front of the unit. The rear of the unit has: a 3.5mm "S-Balanced" input, two single-ended RCA inputs, and a DC 5V power input. The front panel has an input selector, gain selector (0 db, 9 db, 18 db), and a button to enable XBass+ (bass boost) and/or XSpace (spatilizer). Max output is as follows: >6.7V/75 mW (@ 600Ω), >6.5V/660 mW (@ 64Ω), >6.2V/1200 mW (@ 32Ω).
Accessories: One cable is included with the ZEN Air CAN: a (26") black USB-A DC 5V power cable. The cable could stand to be a bit longer. I used the supplied cable with a USB wall adapter to provide power to the unit.
Build: The unit design is similar to the non-Air ZEN line, but the housing is a very sturdy high-grade thermoplastic polymer as opposed to metal. While the unit doesn't feel substantial in the hands, it still feels solid and easily stayed in place on my desk. All of the connectors held the cables securely. The volume control knob feels nice and moves smoothly and precisely.
Functionality:
I utilized the single-ended 6.3mm output and the two RCA inputs for my listening evaluation sessions. In the first RCA input I connected the ZEN Air DAC (which I also reviewed as part of the tour), and in the second RCA input I connected the ZEN Air Phono (which I also reviewed as part of the tour). Setup was quick and painless. If you are going to be using multiple ZEN Air components in a stack (as I was in my evaluation), I would recommend using: a USB power wall adapter, a USB hub, and if necessary a USB extension cable.
I really enjoyed using both of the analog (not DSP!) sound enhancers: XBass+ and XSpace. I found the XBass+ to be more subtle and acceptable than when it was enabled on the ZEN Air DAC. The XSpace also had a subtle, yet noticeable, impact on soundstage, opening up the sound field just the right amount.
The three gain settings allowed me to easily adjust output to match my different headphones' needs. I had no issue powering any of my headphones, including my hungry Audeze LCD-4.
The gain options and sound enhancers (XBass+, XSpaces) made it easy to quickly dial in the needed volume level and sound tweaks to customize the sound output for each headphone and track.
Sound: I listened to many tracks across a wide variety music genres. The sound produced by the ZEN Air CAN was high-quality, detailed, clear and clean -- free from of any noise or distortion. The delivery was smooth and dynamic, making for an enjoyable listening experience for hours on end.
Conclusion: The ZEN Air CAN is an excellent value-for-money, feature-rich, and versatile single-ended headphone amplifier. Despite the lower price point, ifi Audio's usual level of quality is delivered without making too many sacrifices. There is more than enough power to drive any of my headphones, and the multiple gain options and sound enhancers make dialing in the volume and sound preferences a quick and easy task. The ZEN Air CAN was my favorite of the ZEN Air units I evaluated. It offers so much for such little money. I highly recommend considering the ZEN Air CAN for an affordable desktop singled-ended solution. You won't be disappointed.
Hello,
Thanks to the Ifi Zen Air Tour, some members here had the opportunity to participate in the tour that took place here in the forum.
I would like to thank Rowan for organising this tour and Ifi for agreeing and providing the products.
I must also apologise for the length of the tour, unfortunately I had some private problems which delayed the whole thing unnecessarily.
You had to register for the tour, Rowan wrote to you personally and told you that you were on board.
The rest went 1 to 1 as described in the tour, the products were sent and arrived personally at the familiar home.
Personally, I don't get a fee or anything like that, the tour was absolutely voluntary.
And the products have to be sent back.
Why am I doing this?
I have always been interested in Ifi products, starting with the Ify Hip Dac 2 which I bought a few months ago.
when I'm on the road and I'm very happy with it.
Since then I have continued to be very interested in their products where they develop for the community.
Somehow I had always been interested in testing the small budget products.
And the opportunity was just great to be able to test something without having to spend money.
Of course it's also a hobby of mine so why not?
About the Zen Can Air content:
The Zen Can unit was neatly packaged with dust protection caps, a hollow plug cable with usb connection and that was it.
Rca cables are unfortunately not included, these must be purchased separately.
I assume that with the cable you can easily power the Zen Can with a charger power supply plug.
I tested whether it also works via the USB port on the PC and it worked, great surprise.
I connected all the devices to the Audioquest Powerquest 3 via the USB port, which seemed to me to be a very sensible solution.
The cable could have been a bit longer for my taste, I had to use my own as it is a bit longer.
I can't say whether it was intentional not to include a power supply or the true content of the purchase.
Visually, it looks very elegant, and there's not much to it.
The black/grey plastic casing enhances the look, but the feel is not mine.
But it's okay if you want to offer the customer something, because Chinese products are also partly strong in comparison.
Setup:
Headphones are again the Zmf Auteur OG in the 6.3mm slot mainly.Other headphones are Audeze LCD 2 Classic 2019, IMR Acustics R2 Red iem's to test the performance.
Dac is my Singxer SDA 2 which goes via the Rca output to the Zen can.Additionally the SDA 2 is connected to the Singxer Su 2 via I2S.
I stream with the Audirvana 3.5 software from my Tidal account or Tidal itself.
Songs I take from the phono stage rating,only this time it runs via the stream from Tidal to have a lienie.
Cock Robin - The album has not been given a title and is from 1985.
Joe Cocker- Cocker ( Is from 1986 from Capitol records ).
Sandra - Into a Secret Land ( Is from 1988 Virgin records )
Rage against the Maschine - Rage against the Maschine ( The album is from 1992,who had the rights back then I couldn't find out unfortunately.)
AC/DC - Iron Man 2 ( I couldn't find out who had the rights back then either )
Preface:
In the review of the phono stage I left a few words about how the Zen Can sounded.
It drove my Zmf Auteur loud enough without the gain setting, but I was already snapping at it with the potentiometer.
I forgot to mention that there, but as I said, it was usable and still had a shot in reserve with the gain setting.
As mentioned there, the pairing is still usable with the phono stage and interesting for people who are not liquid or have other criteria.
The Zen Can unconditionally fulfils all criteria for the entry-level segment in combination with the phono stage.
Setting on the Zen Can:
Gain is disabled or set to max 6 DB and Xbass is on most of the time.
Negative:
The only negative thing I noticed was the gain switch.
I had the Zmf Auteur connected to +6Db and had the pot almost fully turned up and pressed the gain button again to +18Db.
You have to be careful, because it gets extremely loud, especially when the poti is turned up and can be harmful for ear and headphones.
So turning the potentiometer back before switching is very important and should be reconsidered for the next version of the Can.
Now to the positive:
Overall, given the price, the Can is better than the Dac's internal Singxer amplification, which is also good, but I liked the Can better overall.
Also because the gain switching is well done which is sometimes great to know you have it.Sometimes you realise it could have a bit more bite and bang a button is all there.
Just thinking, a good Dac, no matter which one it is, with some gadgetry in combination with the Can can be a little wonder weapon.
Tonally,as a small SS amp,it's a really good little poison dwarf,the layering is there,tonal weight,details come through (sometimes not quite accurate,but there),good midrange precision,
the highs still seem a bit rolled off to me even though I'm already in the Nos filter on the Dac.
The voice reproduction is also very well represented with good presence, hardly any differences between woman/man.
All in all I could lean back and enjoy the music. I also found the sound very organic, especially with the instruments.
Can had a good body weight.
The rest of the unit is otherwise self-explanatory in terms of control.
Select the source by pressing a button, and the rest is simply a matter of trying it out with the gain setting and Xbass as well as Xspace.
Audeze Lcd 2 C 2019:
Setup of the setting is Xbass active and 0/+6 DB.
Stream Audirvana 3.5 via Tidal in the Mixed Playlist where everything is present.
The Can accepts the Lcd 2C without problems. good volume at 0 Db I am with the potentiometer at 12 o'clock. with +6DB at 9 o'clock.
0Db has a little more low end,a little less bass presence and found the setting most relaxed with the Lcd 2 and well balanced.
With +6DB there is a little less depth, more bass presence sometimes prominent but okay, and very good when more bite is required.
The rest sounded very good to me and close to a hybrid amp. The only thing missing was a bit of the magic that a hybrid amp brings to be perfect for planar headphones.
for planar headphones.
Overall, a very good pairing with the Can and highly recommended.
ZMF Auteur OG:
Setup of the setting is Xbass active and 0/+6 DB.
Stream Audirvana 3.5 via Tidal in the mixed playlist where everything is available.
In the preface I already said some things,the Auteur needs more volume on the pot,the position is 13-14 o'clock to drive it loud enough with 0 DB on Dac's.With the phono stage significantly more.
As said the Can still has a shot of reserves to perform even more when driven by a Dac.
With the position everything sounds in place and well balanced slightly better than with the Lcd 2.
The rest of the impressions with 0/+6DB are similar to the Lcd 2, but not quite as extreme.
In terms of sound, the Auteur has good bass presence, which can sometimes be a shortcoming depending on the amplifier.
The midrange and vocals are less muffled than on the Lcd 2, with more power and punch behind them and good expression. The treble is also slightly more rolled off, but more present and well balanced with good extension.
Instruments are separated a little better than on the Lcd 2 and the strengths of the headphones come into their own.
What surprised me a little personally.
The Can can be a really good pairing if the Dac is halfway coherent I would not have thought and also very surprised how well the Auteur can perform on SS amps.
IMR Acustics R2 Red:
The company is a bit unknown, the headquarter is in England and is a small company that produces Iem's in small quantities about 200-300 pieces mostly.
The price is reasonable depending on what you want, the great thing about these Iem's is that there are different filters to adjust the sound.
The filters are matched to my Ifi Hip Dac 2 with the Inairs 2 for sealing.
The Can doesn't have any problems there either and accepts them with thanks.
The filter is not tuned to the Can, it lacks a bit more depth and presence.
The stage seems a little further away from everything as if you were standing in the middle of the hall. Overall it is not tuned and I stopped the test with this Iem as it requires more time to find the right filter.
Instead, the Letshouer Z12 was used.
Here too, the position 0 Db and Xbass is active.
Here it was immediately noticeable that with xbass there was sometimes a touch too much bass and I switched it off for the first time.
These units were also easy to drive on the Can.
The bass can sometimes be too dominant that you have to play on the Can with the XBAss and Xspace button.mids can sometimes seem a little restrained but otherwise well dosed,even with the treble they are not annoying and very well presented.
They were definitely a great highlight, never too much or too little, the low end is a little shorter than usual but on the point.
Tonal weight is there,bass response is sometimes too much unless you are a basshead.but the impact is extremely well represented when the XSpace button is active alone.
The detail suffers a little at times even though this is a planar unit, sometimes it's there for the taking and other times it's not.
Surprisingly, the Z12 gave me a good foot wiping factor.With time I got used to it and found the Z12 best on the Can with XSpace and 0 DB setting and 10-11 o'clock pot position.
I finished the rest of the rewiev with the Z12 because it suited the mood and I wanted to hear more of what the Z12 could do.
(The green spinfits served as a seal, by the way).
Even when I got used to it after a while, my impressions improved a bit.
The Can fits very well with the Z12, I almost have to take back what I wrote above.
Once I got used to it, it suffers only minimally in the details and macro dynamics, but the rest remains very good in the setting.
I would have preferred to sit back instead of writing.
The bass energy is right, the mids seem less restrained, the highs are still a little short but really very well presented.
Tonally better than the Lcd 2C, much more weight behind it and presence where you can really get into the music.
I wish the Lcd 2 had been like this. you have to raise your finger and point out a good combination.
Conclusion of the Can:
If you look at the price alone, it is a very good entry level amplifier, if not the best in its class in terms of sound.
Also because it can and does produce a very good sound with mid range high end headphones.Of course the final touches are still missing,but can still be satisfying for a very simple setup.
And personally speaking,it's not a tube amp or a midrange SS amp.And I'm certainly a bit more spoiled,I had to adjust a bit to hear the Can,especially if you're used to tube amps.
There everything is more plastic, more spoiled in detail and depth, as well as the tonal weight with more foundation and the rest is more coherent.
It's been 2 years since I've heard an SS amp and I'm surprised at the development that has taken place at a low price.
When I think back to the Magni 3 it didn't get to where the Can is definitely.
The Can is generally pleasantly smooth, offering good low end with good weight and the right amount of bass, mids and treble, although these can be slightly rolled off depending on the user.
Xbass and Xspace can do wonders on headphones and Iem's.
And it has extremely good power reserves as you can see to drive even high-end midrange headphones.
It should also be noted that it clearly outperformed my 3 year old Singxer SDA 2 Dac in internal SS gain.
Coming to the Dac, the Can can be a very good player if you are willing to spend a little more money on a Dac.
On the old Wolfson Chip Dac's it is certainly exactly the right thing, because it is very musical and balanced and only the fine tuning is missing, you can have a very good setup with the Can.
There is certainly still good potential in the new current Dacs.
As a note, I must add that there is still the signature version of the Can.
On the one hand, there are different versions that have been tuned to certain headphones such as Sennheier, Meze and others.
And the simple signature version, which is visually more appealing and probably offers a little more performance and a general version is available without tuning to the above-mentioned headphone families.
If I were to buy a Can, it would probably be this version.
The other thing is that in combination with the phono stage it is also very excellent sound-wise and comes into its own if you are looking for a small amplifier to listen to vinyl with headphones to get an impression of it,
before moving on to the next level of amplification.
Also, the Can plays very well with live recordings very clear and distinct as if you were there.
I'm really positively impressed with this unit and everything it comes with in this cute little box.
The scope of delivery is very thin but okay, as I said, you can also operate it directly via the PC's USB port and leave it there.
The Signature version has the plug for example as I read purely as a side note.
Rca cables and the hollow plug can also be adjusted as needed to get a bit more performance out of it. in my case, the red Audioquest Rca cables did the job.
All in all, it was a great fun experience to be able to test the Can and with a lot of enjoyment. I will think about buying one again probably as a signature version in case I don't feel like tubes.
Thanks to the Ifi Zen Air Tour, some members here had the opportunity to participate in the tour that took place here in the forum.
I would like to thank Rowan for organising this tour and Ifi for agreeing and providing the products.
I must also apologise for the length of the tour, unfortunately I had some private problems which delayed the whole thing unnecessarily.
You had to register for the tour, Rowan wrote to you personally and told you that you were on board.
The rest went 1 to 1 as described in the tour, the products were sent and arrived personally at the familiar home.
Personally, I don't get a fee or anything like that, the tour was absolutely voluntary.
And the products have to be sent back.
Why am I doing this?
I have always been interested in Ifi products, starting with the Ify Hip Dac 2 which I bought a few months ago.
when I'm on the road and I'm very happy with it.
Since then I have continued to be very interested in their products where they develop for the community.
Somehow I had always been interested in testing the small budget products.
And the opportunity was just great to be able to test something without having to spend money.
Of course it's also a hobby of mine so why not?
About the Zen Can Air content:
The Zen Can unit was neatly packaged with dust protection caps, a hollow plug cable with usb connection and that was it.
Rca cables are unfortunately not included, these must be purchased separately.
I assume that with the cable you can easily power the Zen Can with a charger power supply plug.
I tested whether it also works via the USB port on the PC and it worked, great surprise.
I connected all the devices to the Audioquest Powerquest 3 via the USB port, which seemed to me to be a very sensible solution.
The cable could have been a bit longer for my taste, I had to use my own as it is a bit longer.
I can't say whether it was intentional not to include a power supply or the true content of the purchase.
Visually, it looks very elegant, and there's not much to it.
The black/grey plastic casing enhances the look, but the feel is not mine.
But it's okay if you want to offer the customer something, because Chinese products are also partly strong in comparison.
Setup:
Headphones are again the Zmf Auteur OG in the 6.3mm slot mainly.Other headphones are Audeze LCD 2 Classic 2019, IMR Acustics R2 Red iem's to test the performance.
Dac is my Singxer SDA 2 which goes via the Rca output to the Zen can.Additionally the SDA 2 is connected to the Singxer Su 2 via I2S.
I stream with the Audirvana 3.5 software from my Tidal account or Tidal itself.
Songs I take from the phono stage rating,only this time it runs via the stream from Tidal to have a lienie.
Cock Robin - The album has not been given a title and is from 1985.
Joe Cocker- Cocker ( Is from 1986 from Capitol records ).
Sandra - Into a Secret Land ( Is from 1988 Virgin records )
Rage against the Maschine - Rage against the Maschine ( The album is from 1992,who had the rights back then I couldn't find out unfortunately.)
AC/DC - Iron Man 2 ( I couldn't find out who had the rights back then either )
Preface:
In the review of the phono stage I left a few words about how the Zen Can sounded.
It drove my Zmf Auteur loud enough without the gain setting, but I was already snapping at it with the potentiometer.
I forgot to mention that there, but as I said, it was usable and still had a shot in reserve with the gain setting.
As mentioned there, the pairing is still usable with the phono stage and interesting for people who are not liquid or have other criteria.
The Zen Can unconditionally fulfils all criteria for the entry-level segment in combination with the phono stage.
Setting on the Zen Can:
Gain is disabled or set to max 6 DB and Xbass is on most of the time.
Negative:
The only negative thing I noticed was the gain switch.
I had the Zmf Auteur connected to +6Db and had the pot almost fully turned up and pressed the gain button again to +18Db.
You have to be careful, because it gets extremely loud, especially when the poti is turned up and can be harmful for ear and headphones.
So turning the potentiometer back before switching is very important and should be reconsidered for the next version of the Can.
Now to the positive:
Overall, given the price, the Can is better than the Dac's internal Singxer amplification, which is also good, but I liked the Can better overall.
Also because the gain switching is well done which is sometimes great to know you have it.Sometimes you realise it could have a bit more bite and bang a button is all there.
Just thinking, a good Dac, no matter which one it is, with some gadgetry in combination with the Can can be a little wonder weapon.
Tonally,as a small SS amp,it's a really good little poison dwarf,the layering is there,tonal weight,details come through (sometimes not quite accurate,but there),good midrange precision,
the highs still seem a bit rolled off to me even though I'm already in the Nos filter on the Dac.
The voice reproduction is also very well represented with good presence, hardly any differences between woman/man.
All in all I could lean back and enjoy the music. I also found the sound very organic, especially with the instruments.
Can had a good body weight.
The rest of the unit is otherwise self-explanatory in terms of control.
Select the source by pressing a button, and the rest is simply a matter of trying it out with the gain setting and Xbass as well as Xspace.
Audeze Lcd 2 C 2019:
Setup of the setting is Xbass active and 0/+6 DB.
Stream Audirvana 3.5 via Tidal in the Mixed Playlist where everything is present.
The Can accepts the Lcd 2C without problems. good volume at 0 Db I am with the potentiometer at 12 o'clock. with +6DB at 9 o'clock.
0Db has a little more low end,a little less bass presence and found the setting most relaxed with the Lcd 2 and well balanced.
With +6DB there is a little less depth, more bass presence sometimes prominent but okay, and very good when more bite is required.
The rest sounded very good to me and close to a hybrid amp. The only thing missing was a bit of the magic that a hybrid amp brings to be perfect for planar headphones.
for planar headphones.
Overall, a very good pairing with the Can and highly recommended.
ZMF Auteur OG:
Setup of the setting is Xbass active and 0/+6 DB.
Stream Audirvana 3.5 via Tidal in the mixed playlist where everything is available.
In the preface I already said some things,the Auteur needs more volume on the pot,the position is 13-14 o'clock to drive it loud enough with 0 DB on Dac's.With the phono stage significantly more.
As said the Can still has a shot of reserves to perform even more when driven by a Dac.
With the position everything sounds in place and well balanced slightly better than with the Lcd 2.
The rest of the impressions with 0/+6DB are similar to the Lcd 2, but not quite as extreme.
In terms of sound, the Auteur has good bass presence, which can sometimes be a shortcoming depending on the amplifier.
The midrange and vocals are less muffled than on the Lcd 2, with more power and punch behind them and good expression. The treble is also slightly more rolled off, but more present and well balanced with good extension.
Instruments are separated a little better than on the Lcd 2 and the strengths of the headphones come into their own.
What surprised me a little personally.
The Can can be a really good pairing if the Dac is halfway coherent I would not have thought and also very surprised how well the Auteur can perform on SS amps.
IMR Acustics R2 Red:
The company is a bit unknown, the headquarter is in England and is a small company that produces Iem's in small quantities about 200-300 pieces mostly.
The price is reasonable depending on what you want, the great thing about these Iem's is that there are different filters to adjust the sound.
The filters are matched to my Ifi Hip Dac 2 with the Inairs 2 for sealing.
The Can doesn't have any problems there either and accepts them with thanks.
The filter is not tuned to the Can, it lacks a bit more depth and presence.
The stage seems a little further away from everything as if you were standing in the middle of the hall. Overall it is not tuned and I stopped the test with this Iem as it requires more time to find the right filter.
Instead, the Letshouer Z12 was used.
Here too, the position 0 Db and Xbass is active.
Here it was immediately noticeable that with xbass there was sometimes a touch too much bass and I switched it off for the first time.
These units were also easy to drive on the Can.
The bass can sometimes be too dominant that you have to play on the Can with the XBAss and Xspace button.mids can sometimes seem a little restrained but otherwise well dosed,even with the treble they are not annoying and very well presented.
They were definitely a great highlight, never too much or too little, the low end is a little shorter than usual but on the point.
Tonal weight is there,bass response is sometimes too much unless you are a basshead.but the impact is extremely well represented when the XSpace button is active alone.
The detail suffers a little at times even though this is a planar unit, sometimes it's there for the taking and other times it's not.
Surprisingly, the Z12 gave me a good foot wiping factor.With time I got used to it and found the Z12 best on the Can with XSpace and 0 DB setting and 10-11 o'clock pot position.
I finished the rest of the rewiev with the Z12 because it suited the mood and I wanted to hear more of what the Z12 could do.
(The green spinfits served as a seal, by the way).
Even when I got used to it after a while, my impressions improved a bit.
The Can fits very well with the Z12, I almost have to take back what I wrote above.
Once I got used to it, it suffers only minimally in the details and macro dynamics, but the rest remains very good in the setting.
I would have preferred to sit back instead of writing.
The bass energy is right, the mids seem less restrained, the highs are still a little short but really very well presented.
Tonally better than the Lcd 2C, much more weight behind it and presence where you can really get into the music.
I wish the Lcd 2 had been like this. you have to raise your finger and point out a good combination.
Conclusion of the Can:
If you look at the price alone, it is a very good entry level amplifier, if not the best in its class in terms of sound.
Also because it can and does produce a very good sound with mid range high end headphones.Of course the final touches are still missing,but can still be satisfying for a very simple setup.
And personally speaking,it's not a tube amp or a midrange SS amp.And I'm certainly a bit more spoiled,I had to adjust a bit to hear the Can,especially if you're used to tube amps.
There everything is more plastic, more spoiled in detail and depth, as well as the tonal weight with more foundation and the rest is more coherent.
It's been 2 years since I've heard an SS amp and I'm surprised at the development that has taken place at a low price.
When I think back to the Magni 3 it didn't get to where the Can is definitely.
The Can is generally pleasantly smooth, offering good low end with good weight and the right amount of bass, mids and treble, although these can be slightly rolled off depending on the user.
Xbass and Xspace can do wonders on headphones and Iem's.
And it has extremely good power reserves as you can see to drive even high-end midrange headphones.
It should also be noted that it clearly outperformed my 3 year old Singxer SDA 2 Dac in internal SS gain.
Coming to the Dac, the Can can be a very good player if you are willing to spend a little more money on a Dac.
On the old Wolfson Chip Dac's it is certainly exactly the right thing, because it is very musical and balanced and only the fine tuning is missing, you can have a very good setup with the Can.
There is certainly still good potential in the new current Dacs.
As a note, I must add that there is still the signature version of the Can.
On the one hand, there are different versions that have been tuned to certain headphones such as Sennheier, Meze and others.
And the simple signature version, which is visually more appealing and probably offers a little more performance and a general version is available without tuning to the above-mentioned headphone families.
If I were to buy a Can, it would probably be this version.
The other thing is that in combination with the phono stage it is also very excellent sound-wise and comes into its own if you are looking for a small amplifier to listen to vinyl with headphones to get an impression of it,
before moving on to the next level of amplification.
Also, the Can plays very well with live recordings very clear and distinct as if you were there.
I'm really positively impressed with this unit and everything it comes with in this cute little box.
The scope of delivery is very thin but okay, as I said, you can also operate it directly via the PC's USB port and leave it there.
The Signature version has the plug for example as I read purely as a side note.
Rca cables and the hollow plug can also be adjusted as needed to get a bit more performance out of it. in my case, the red Audioquest Rca cables did the job.
All in all, it was a great fun experience to be able to test the Can and with a lot of enjoyment. I will think about buying one again probably as a signature version in case I don't feel like tubes.
I have the DAC, CAN and Blue units on loan from iFi, on the "Official ZEN Air Tour".
I'll post this first words regarding the range as a whole, on all the individual units impressions.
Look and feel
As a range, the similar form factor and materials used brings a family look that makes for a nice setup. And the form factor links to the more upscale ranges, also. The various shades of grey of each unit are elegant and help giving a certain individuality.
The ZEN Air units are light, and altough the plastic used on the enclosures feel good, it's not a premium material, but rather price apropriate. And more than good enough, with the nice embossed pattern and logo.
They feel well built, with a nice smooth action on the volume and decisive click on the buttons (wich have some play, but not to the point of feeling too loose).
With heavy cables, they might tend to slide away on a table top or on a rack. I've used QED Connect cables, as I like them and feel that they are a good pair for a budget setup, and not heavy at all.
The volume knob and 6.3mm phone output are too close for a confortable use, and so are the volume buttons on the DAC and CAN, if stacked.
The feet have a good friction but pressing the front buttons, and inserting or removing a phone jack caused the units to slide, if I didn't hold the units down.
All in all, a rather good looking setup for the asking price. I feel that the combo looks pricier and more upscale than each unit by itself. And they can be stacked so as not to take too much space on a desk.
Accessories
Just a USB-A to barrel connector for power with each unit, plus a USB cable with the DAC.
The cables provided are too short! And it would be nice to have RCA cables. If the Air range is directed at the entry level, many buyers will not have all the necessary cables. And those are my main gripes with ZEN Air range (also the lack of space around the volume knobs).
Power supplies would be nice also, but at this price, and considering that everybody has some USB brick lying around, it's ok. And the DAC can be powered by the source PC or streamer's USB connection.
You can read here about me and how I've listened to the ZEN Air range, but I've mainly used a Raspberry Pi4 with Volumio, playing Qobuz, Radio Paradise and personal FLAC and DSD files.
And here and here are the reviews for the other ZEN Air devices.
iFi ZEN Air CAN
So, continuing my notes on the ZEN Air range, now we have the iFi ZEN Air CAN, a headphones amp.
It has:
3 selectable inputs (1 x 3,5mm plus 2 x RCA pairs)
A gain selector with 0, 9 and 18 dB
2 outputs (1 x 6,3mm single ended plus 1 x 4,4mm balanced)
XBass+ / XSpace selector)
And a nice smooth volume knob in the center.
I was expecting a 2,5 to 4,4mm adaptor so I could test the balanced output, but it's delayed. I'll edit this post if it arrives while I still have the Air CAN with me.
What I would like to have is a bit more space between the volume knob and the 6,3mm output. And also to the Air DAC volume knob when stacked. It's really not easy to use.
In the back you'll find a 5V power connector (the correct cable / adapter comes in the box, but not the power supply). I believe that better power gives better sound, and I've used the iFi iPower and iPower X with much of my gear, with good results. The Air CAN was no diferent: good from a generic power brick, better with a powerbank, noticeably better with the iPower, and again better with the iPower X. Yes, the last one costs more than the CAN, but I would buy it! It really takes the CAN to another level.
I've mainly used the Drop x Sennheiser HD6XX (with CC mod) for this review, as they are my prefered and most used cans, so my best known ones.
I choose the gain, depending on the headphones used, as to have the volume around mid-course. With higher impedance Drop HD6XX and Beyerdynamic DT150, that means 9 dB. All the others the 0 dB was sufficient.
The 3 inputs came very handy to facilitate comparing diferent DAC's and sources.
Connecting to the Air DAC, my first impression comparing to listening from the Air DAC directly: everything is MORE!
With any of the heaphones, I've got the same results: more dynamics, more space, more acurate imaging, more headroom, more details, more effortlessly delivery.
Comparing the CAN with a tube amp (Xduoo TA-26) costing 3 times more, it's different, but not worst. It holds it's ground very well. I do prefer the tubes with the high impedance cans, but that's more on the technology used and type of sound signature.
Comparing the combo Air DAC / Air CAN to the headphone out of a Cambridge DacMagic 200M costing 2 to 3 times more (but with more features), altough with the same type of sound, it fells a little short, mainly on the details. But not by much. Not bad at all.
Connecting the Air CAN to the Cambrige line out shows that the iFi amp can grow with better systems. I could prefer the Air CAN to the Cambridge headphone out, in this configuration. Just a tiny more atmosphere and naturality, I believe.
Being fed by a Topping D10s, wich is only a bit more costly than the Air DAC, it again shows a little difference (different DAC chips/implementations?). But allways giving a great presentation, showing the differences between sources and never failing to impress.
XBass+ and XSpace… I'm not one to use EQ, DSP, filters, etc. I normaly set it and forget it, or leave as factory default.
The button cycles between both off, XBass+ on, XSpace on, both on, and back to both off again.
The XBass+ on the Air CAN is subttle and effective, giving a bit more weight and presence on the lower frequencies. I could use if it would be the better choice on all tracks. But I found that this kind of options give better or worse results depending on source, tracks, recordings, etc, and I want to listen to music, not spend the first half of a song trying to figure out what is the best options for that track.
The XSpace gives a more airy presentation, but a bit artificial to me. Maybe with the closed-backs cans I could used it on a track or two…
Using the Air CAN with my other headphones gave the same results: more clarity, presence, naturalness.
The planar Sundara were the only ones that benefited more from the high gain (18 dB). With the higher inpedance ones, I felt they just gained volume. The Sundara also got more body and detail.
All the other were quite happy at low gain. If I put those on medium position (9 dB), the volume got too high too soon on the knob. Not that I heard any imbalance, but as a personal rule, I prefer to be around the midle of the volume knob travel, if possible.
And again, as with the Air DAC, the PSB M4U 1 cans (closed-back 32 ohms dynamic phones) were a match that really surprised me. I know and love the PSB and they can be good with many sources, but with the ZEN Air DAC and CAN, it was the best I ever heard them.
I feel that the Air CAN it's a great entry level, mostly getting out of the way between source and headphones, apart from doing it's job of amplifying the signal from the source. If the Air CAN adds anything, it's naturalness, in an effortlessly way.
And as with the Air DAC, I felt that the CAN can grow with better power supplies, sources and headphones. A good choice, and not only for beginners/entry level!
I'll post this first words regarding the range as a whole, on all the individual units impressions.
Look and feel
As a range, the similar form factor and materials used brings a family look that makes for a nice setup. And the form factor links to the more upscale ranges, also. The various shades of grey of each unit are elegant and help giving a certain individuality.
The ZEN Air units are light, and altough the plastic used on the enclosures feel good, it's not a premium material, but rather price apropriate. And more than good enough, with the nice embossed pattern and logo.
They feel well built, with a nice smooth action on the volume and decisive click on the buttons (wich have some play, but not to the point of feeling too loose).
With heavy cables, they might tend to slide away on a table top or on a rack. I've used QED Connect cables, as I like them and feel that they are a good pair for a budget setup, and not heavy at all.
The volume knob and 6.3mm phone output are too close for a confortable use, and so are the volume buttons on the DAC and CAN, if stacked.
The feet have a good friction but pressing the front buttons, and inserting or removing a phone jack caused the units to slide, if I didn't hold the units down.
All in all, a rather good looking setup for the asking price. I feel that the combo looks pricier and more upscale than each unit by itself. And they can be stacked so as not to take too much space on a desk.
Accessories
Just a USB-A to barrel connector for power with each unit, plus a USB cable with the DAC.
The cables provided are too short! And it would be nice to have RCA cables. If the Air range is directed at the entry level, many buyers will not have all the necessary cables. And those are my main gripes with ZEN Air range (also the lack of space around the volume knobs).
Power supplies would be nice also, but at this price, and considering that everybody has some USB brick lying around, it's ok. And the DAC can be powered by the source PC or streamer's USB connection.
You can read here about me and how I've listened to the ZEN Air range, but I've mainly used a Raspberry Pi4 with Volumio, playing Qobuz, Radio Paradise and personal FLAC and DSD files.
And here and here are the reviews for the other ZEN Air devices.
iFi ZEN Air CAN
So, continuing my notes on the ZEN Air range, now we have the iFi ZEN Air CAN, a headphones amp.
It has:
3 selectable inputs (1 x 3,5mm plus 2 x RCA pairs)
A gain selector with 0, 9 and 18 dB
2 outputs (1 x 6,3mm single ended plus 1 x 4,4mm balanced)
XBass+ / XSpace selector)
And a nice smooth volume knob in the center.
I was expecting a 2,5 to 4,4mm adaptor so I could test the balanced output, but it's delayed. I'll edit this post if it arrives while I still have the Air CAN with me.
What I would like to have is a bit more space between the volume knob and the 6,3mm output. And also to the Air DAC volume knob when stacked. It's really not easy to use.
In the back you'll find a 5V power connector (the correct cable / adapter comes in the box, but not the power supply). I believe that better power gives better sound, and I've used the iFi iPower and iPower X with much of my gear, with good results. The Air CAN was no diferent: good from a generic power brick, better with a powerbank, noticeably better with the iPower, and again better with the iPower X. Yes, the last one costs more than the CAN, but I would buy it! It really takes the CAN to another level.
I've mainly used the Drop x Sennheiser HD6XX (with CC mod) for this review, as they are my prefered and most used cans, so my best known ones.
I choose the gain, depending on the headphones used, as to have the volume around mid-course. With higher impedance Drop HD6XX and Beyerdynamic DT150, that means 9 dB. All the others the 0 dB was sufficient.
The 3 inputs came very handy to facilitate comparing diferent DAC's and sources.
Connecting to the Air DAC, my first impression comparing to listening from the Air DAC directly: everything is MORE!
With any of the heaphones, I've got the same results: more dynamics, more space, more acurate imaging, more headroom, more details, more effortlessly delivery.
Comparing the CAN with a tube amp (Xduoo TA-26) costing 3 times more, it's different, but not worst. It holds it's ground very well. I do prefer the tubes with the high impedance cans, but that's more on the technology used and type of sound signature.
Comparing the combo Air DAC / Air CAN to the headphone out of a Cambridge DacMagic 200M costing 2 to 3 times more (but with more features), altough with the same type of sound, it fells a little short, mainly on the details. But not by much. Not bad at all.
Connecting the Air CAN to the Cambrige line out shows that the iFi amp can grow with better systems. I could prefer the Air CAN to the Cambridge headphone out, in this configuration. Just a tiny more atmosphere and naturality, I believe.
Being fed by a Topping D10s, wich is only a bit more costly than the Air DAC, it again shows a little difference (different DAC chips/implementations?). But allways giving a great presentation, showing the differences between sources and never failing to impress.
XBass+ and XSpace… I'm not one to use EQ, DSP, filters, etc. I normaly set it and forget it, or leave as factory default.
The button cycles between both off, XBass+ on, XSpace on, both on, and back to both off again.
The XBass+ on the Air CAN is subttle and effective, giving a bit more weight and presence on the lower frequencies. I could use if it would be the better choice on all tracks. But I found that this kind of options give better or worse results depending on source, tracks, recordings, etc, and I want to listen to music, not spend the first half of a song trying to figure out what is the best options for that track.
The XSpace gives a more airy presentation, but a bit artificial to me. Maybe with the closed-backs cans I could used it on a track or two…
Using the Air CAN with my other headphones gave the same results: more clarity, presence, naturalness.
The planar Sundara were the only ones that benefited more from the high gain (18 dB). With the higher inpedance ones, I felt they just gained volume. The Sundara also got more body and detail.
All the other were quite happy at low gain. If I put those on medium position (9 dB), the volume got too high too soon on the knob. Not that I heard any imbalance, but as a personal rule, I prefer to be around the midle of the volume knob travel, if possible.
And again, as with the Air DAC, the PSB M4U 1 cans (closed-back 32 ohms dynamic phones) were a match that really surprised me. I know and love the PSB and they can be good with many sources, but with the ZEN Air DAC and CAN, it was the best I ever heard them.
I feel that the Air CAN it's a great entry level, mostly getting out of the way between source and headphones, apart from doing it's job of amplifying the signal from the source. If the Air CAN adds anything, it's naturalness, in an effortlessly way.
And as with the Air DAC, I felt that the CAN can grow with better power supplies, sources and headphones. A good choice, and not only for beginners/entry level!
Disclaimer: I have the iFi audio ZEN air CAN on loan in return for my honest impressions. This has not influenced my opinion. Thank you to @Rowan94 and the @iFi audio for the opportunity 
The iFi audio ZEN air CAN, other than being a mouthful, is a great little amp which for my ears is a great entry point (coupled with a streamer / DAC) for anyone wanting to see what the fuss is about, or a great secondary setup for others of us that are already deep in the head-fi hole.
In the box you get the ZEN Air CAN, a DC to USB cable and some quick start guides. You'll need your own RCA interconnects and/or 3.5mm cable to link up your DAC/Source.
Box:
Front view (Power, Input Selector (3.5mm, RCA 1, RCA 2), Gain, Volume, 6.5mm output, 4.4mm output, XBass / XSpace button):
Back (The iFi Audio Zen Air Blue is on top - 3.5mm to the left of the connected RCA, RCA 1, RCA 2, 5V DC input):
Price point in Australia is $149.
Build quality is great, the unit looks nice, it's plastic but once you're setup it's not like that matters. Setup is super simple, plug in a source, plug in some headphones and you're off.
Switching between sources is simple, click the button and it's pretty much instant. The gain setting works in a similar way and delivers plenty of power at full gain. Specs:
I mainly used this coupled with the Blue, and tried it across a range of headphones and IEM's ranging from entry level to TOTL.
It managed to drive everything I threw at it (most power hungry in my collection being the HD800S and Meze Liric), volume was fine throughout and didn't end up needing to use max gain (9db for HD800S and Liric's - dial at about 75%). The pleasing part for me was that I could drive my Meze Advar IEM's without any noise (using the 4.4mm output). Through my other powered amps there was always a bit of noise on the Advar's, nothing at all through this!
Sound quality across the board was great, making me double guess why I spend much more on other equipment at numerous points through the trial. Does it sound as good as a $3k amp? No, but it's not a million miles away, and while I was listening I wasn't really wanting for anything else. Given it's small form factor and ease to power, I found myself using this (and the Zen air DAC) a lot during the review period. As I had these setup in different places to my main audio setup I listened to more music than I generally would over the two weeks I've had with them.
The XBass/XSpace features are interesting, XBass is great for headphones which have a bass rolloff, a tap of the button and you get a decent bump in the lower frequencies, I had it off most of the time however was fun to play around with. XSpace expands out the soundstage, it does what it says but I generally had it off. You can either of those settings on b themselves, or both on/off.
Would I recommend this to someone? Absolutely, and I have (coupled with the Blue). It's a fantastic entry level product and I wish something like this was around when I started getting into the hobby. I'd also recommend to anyone wanting a secondary setup (at work desk / bedside etc.).
The iFi audio ZEN air CAN, other than being a mouthful, is a great little amp which for my ears is a great entry point (coupled with a streamer / DAC) for anyone wanting to see what the fuss is about, or a great secondary setup for others of us that are already deep in the head-fi hole.
In the box you get the ZEN Air CAN, a DC to USB cable and some quick start guides. You'll need your own RCA interconnects and/or 3.5mm cable to link up your DAC/Source.
Box:
Front view (Power, Input Selector (3.5mm, RCA 1, RCA 2), Gain, Volume, 6.5mm output, 4.4mm output, XBass / XSpace button):
Back (The iFi Audio Zen Air Blue is on top - 3.5mm to the left of the connected RCA, RCA 1, RCA 2, 5V DC input):
Price point in Australia is $149.
Build quality is great, the unit looks nice, it's plastic but once you're setup it's not like that matters. Setup is super simple, plug in a source, plug in some headphones and you're off.
Switching between sources is simple, click the button and it's pretty much instant. The gain setting works in a similar way and delivers plenty of power at full gain. Specs:
| Power supply requirement | DC 5V/2.5A (centre +ve) | |
| Max Output | >6.7V/75 mW(@ 600Ω) >6.5V/660 mW(@ 64Ω) >6.2V/1200 mW(@ 32Ω) | |
| THD & N | 0.005% (@ 100 mW/1.27V 16Ω) | |
| SNR | >114dBA (@ 6.7V) | |
| Max. Input | RCA 3.5mm | 3.8V RMS 1.92V RMS |
| Gain | 0dB 9dB 18dB | |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz -100kHz (-3dB) |
I mainly used this coupled with the Blue, and tried it across a range of headphones and IEM's ranging from entry level to TOTL.
It managed to drive everything I threw at it (most power hungry in my collection being the HD800S and Meze Liric), volume was fine throughout and didn't end up needing to use max gain (9db for HD800S and Liric's - dial at about 75%). The pleasing part for me was that I could drive my Meze Advar IEM's without any noise (using the 4.4mm output). Through my other powered amps there was always a bit of noise on the Advar's, nothing at all through this!
Sound quality across the board was great, making me double guess why I spend much more on other equipment at numerous points through the trial. Does it sound as good as a $3k amp? No, but it's not a million miles away, and while I was listening I wasn't really wanting for anything else. Given it's small form factor and ease to power, I found myself using this (and the Zen air DAC) a lot during the review period. As I had these setup in different places to my main audio setup I listened to more music than I generally would over the two weeks I've had with them.
The XBass/XSpace features are interesting, XBass is great for headphones which have a bass rolloff, a tap of the button and you get a decent bump in the lower frequencies, I had it off most of the time however was fun to play around with. XSpace expands out the soundstage, it does what it says but I generally had it off. You can either of those settings on b themselves, or both on/off.
Would I recommend this to someone? Absolutely, and I have (coupled with the Blue). It's a fantastic entry level product and I wish something like this was around when I started getting into the hobby. I'd also recommend to anyone wanting a secondary setup (at work desk / bedside etc.).
